Abolish the Monarchy

Author Graham Smith
Narrator Sam Swann
Publisher Transworld
Publish Date 1 June 2023
Run Time 8 hours and 3 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Civics and citizenship, Colonialism and imperialism, Constitution, History, Human rights, civil rights, Law, Nationalism, Political ideologies and movements, Politics and government, Society and Social Sciences.

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

We're constantly told the same things about the monarchy:

But the monarchy is good for tourism..
It isn't! Evidence points to some royal weddings actually having a negative impact on inbound tourism.

But the monarchy makes a big difference to charity..
Of the approx. 1,200 charities with a royal patron, 74% had no contact with their patron during the preceding year.

But everyone loves the monarchy..
A January 2023 poll showed support for the monarchy is down 55 percent.

It's wrong in principle and it doesn't work in practice. It doesn't have to be this way.

They say Britain should be proud to have the mother of parliaments, to be a shining beacon of democracy and an example to other nations. But there's an elephant in the room.

At the heart of power is a single family. They weren't elected but they live off the public purse. They aren't accountable to anyone, and yet between them they are privy to more government secrets than many cabinet ministers. Divinely appointed using a special hat, the head of the family is your superior, you his subject. Apparently he is guardian of our constitution - but we're also told he wouldn't dream of interfering in politics.

If you accept the monarchy, you must accept the moral compromise that comes with it, from its erosion of the principle of equality to the secret interference in our laws. But the good news is that we don't have to accept it. True democracy is within our reach.

'A crucial, riveting polemic in support of one of the most precious things humanity has built - democracy itself' OWEN JONES

'Graham Smith shows what fools our rotten constitution makes of us, with a monarch as emblem of a country beset by nepotism, backhanders, chumocracy and inherited privilege. Read and rebel!' POLLY TOYNBEE

©2023 Graham Smith (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critics Review

A crucial, riveting polemic in support of one of the most precious things humanity has built – democracy itself.

Owen Jones, author of The Establishment

If ever you thought tradition, tourism, or political stability were good arguments for the Crown, this razor-sharp book knocks that nonsense into a top hat. Erudite Graham Smith shows what fools our rotten constitution makes of us, with a monarch as emblem of a country beset by nepotism, backhanders, chumocracy and inherited privilege. Read and rebel!

Polly Toynbee, author of An Uneasy Inheritance

This is a very timely reminder of the constitutional absurdity of our taxpayer-funded Royal Family that is at war with itself. Whether you’re in favour of abolition or a more slimmed-down monarchy in keeping with modern Britain, Graham Smith puts the case for reform eloquently and forcefully.

Robert Verkaik, author of Posh Boys

This is the book I have been waiting for. The lack of accountability of the monarchy is disgraceful. The privileges they have are indefensible. Step forward Graham Smith. He is not afraid to speak the truth so many people feel but find difficult to express. Reading this book will give you the confidence to speak up, and to understand that we, the British people, (and I must say, those in the land of my parents), deserve a fairer society.

Benjamin Zephaniah, author of The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah

Abolish the Monarchy confronts readers with some uncomfortable truths… Abolish the Monarchy delivers where much of the press so often fails… our political landscape is richer for protest movements like his – police, take note.

Telegraph

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